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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
Passion (Palm) Sunday,
Cycle A
Washington Retreat House
April 13, 2014
God’s Love and God’s Presence
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Passion According to Matthew
As you know, there
are four gospels.
Each gospel writer –
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – tells the story of the Passion, Jesus’
suffering and death. There are many
common features that we find in all four accounts.
And yet, each of the
Passion accounts also has some unique features.
This morning I want to comment on just two features in the Passion
according to Matthew that we just heard.
God’s Love
Matthew is the only one of the four
gospel writers who tells of the suicide of Judas.
Why does he mention this? Judas has sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of
silver.
More importantly, Judas comes to realize
that his betrayal of Jesus is wrong. He
realizes that he has betrayed a good, just, and holy man.
But tragically, Judas does not realize
that this good man, Jesus, is so good that he will forgive and accept back even
Judas. Judas’ fails to see or trust
this.
So implicitly, by recalling this,
Matthew wants us to be clear that nothing we do is too bad to be forgiven by
God. God’s love for us is unconditional
and there is nothing about us as persons or about our behavior that is beyond
God’s love and forgiveness.
One conclusion I would make from this is
that we, as a Church, must live out this love of God in our ministry and care
of others. Anyone and everyone need to
be welcome here.
You or others are welcome here at this
retreat house or this parish. You or
others are welcome to an embracing experience in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, if that is appropriate.
It must be that way if we, as a Church,
are to be like Jesus. If this
understanding would assist someone you know who is not here today, please tell
them about God’s unconditional love and how they can find that love right here.
God in Everyone
The second point I want to mention is
the tearing of the curtain in the temple.
The passage says that as soon as Jesus
dies, “the veil of the sanctuary was
torn in two from top to bottom.” What does this mean?
The veil separates what is called the
Holies of Holies – the area of the temple where God is seen as dwelling – from
the rest of the temple, as being where the people gather.
So the tearing of the veil is a sign
that this separation of God from us no longer exists.
It means that with Jesus’ death and
eventual resurrection, God is with and within each of us. We can see God in everyone and everything.
We can see God in ourselves and in other
persons, whether they are Christian or not, whether they are believers or
not.
Pope Francis gave us such a good witness
last fall when he gave an interview to a journalist who is a non-believer and
showed such complete respect for him.
Conclusion
So all are welcome and no sin – no
matter how often repeated – can separate us from God’s love.
And in our gathering, we feed on the
flesh and blood of Jesus, which reminds us to be awake to God’s presence in
everyone.
Two very powerful realities that help us
conclude Lent and prepare for Holy Week.
